A recent feature identifies eight common parenting habits that can quietly undermine a child’s confidence, even when parents mean well. Experts say everyday choices shape self-esteem, school performance, and resilience for years. For Thai families navigating rapid social and educational change, adopting supportive, evidence-based approaches matters more than ever.
Why this matters in Thailand: Self-confidence affects how children handle academic challenges, peer interactions, and mental well-being. As Thai society blends traditional values with modern parenting ideas, recognizing subtle pressure points helps caregivers foster a healthier sense of self-worth.
The piece outlines eight patterns that can erode confidence:
- Tough love without warmth: Discipline matters, but steady emotional warmth and constructive feedback build assurance more effectively than harshness.
- Comparisons: Regularly measuring a child against others can dampen motivation and self-respect, making effort seem insufficient.
- Overprotection: Shielding kids from difficulty may hinder growth. Moderate risk-taking builds resilience and problem-solving skills.
- Extreme language: Words like “always” or “never” create fixed views of abilities, discouraging effort and adaptation.
- Dismissing opinions: Valuing children’s perspectives nurtures autonomy, decision-making, and self-trust.
- Unrealistic expectations: Setting extremely high standards often raises anxiety and fear of failure rather than motivation.
- Controlling behavior: Excessive control stifles independence and can foster resentment.
- Using children to fulfill parents’ dreams: Pushing a child toward a path chosen by adults risks eroding personal identity and confidence.
Thai experts emphasize that true confidence grows from within, not from meeting others’ expectations. Global research supports this view: parental psychological control and restricted autonomy are linked to lower self-esteem and higher anxiety in children.
Thailand blends collectivist values with rising emphasis on child autonomy. Traditional expectations of obedience and family honor can clash with modern needs for self-expression. Leading pediatric voices in Bangkok note that a safe environment for making mistakes is essential as children face new academic and social pressures.
Evidence from international studies supports an authoritative approach: clear boundaries paired with empathy and support tend to yield higher confidence, social skills, and resilience. In contrast, overly controlling styles are often linked with anxiety and reduced self-esteem.
Moving forward, Thai schools are expanding social-emotional learning (SEL) to bolster confidence, while parenting groups increasingly discuss growth mindset and resilience. These trends point to a future where caregivers use evidence-based strategies that honor cultural values while supporting children’s psychological well-being.
Practical steps for Thai parents and educators:
- Offer consistent warmth, encouragement, and constructive feedback
- Value children’s voices in family decisions
- Foster autonomy with age-appropriate choices, even when mistakes happen
- Avoid comparisons and labels; recognize each child’s unique path
- Set realistic, achievable goals and celebrate effort as well as success
- Model constructive responses to challenges, reinforcing growth from setbacks
Support is available in Thailand through child and adolescent mental health services, family-focused programs in public media, and international guidance through UNICEF Thailand. Adopting constructive parenting habits helps Thai families raise confident, resilient children ready for the future.
For broader context, see research and coverage from credible institutions and public health sources cited in this article.